Depth enhancing artwork mounting base

ABSTRACT

A depth enhancing artwork mounting base wherein the size and shape of an artwork mounting face in conjunction with the size, shape, and texturing of an integrated depth enhancing face enhances the depth perception of the two dimension art work.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally related to devices used to display visual artworks, such as drawings, paintings, photographs, and the like. More specifically the invention is an alternative to variations of many common picture frames. Specifically the invention is a depth enhancing artwork mounting base that is simply described as a two dimensional placard with outer perimeter sides and inner perimeter boundaries that divide the upper surface of the placard into a mounting face and a depth enhancing face and thereby enhance the perception of depth of artworks mounted on the mounting face thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Picture frames have three general functions: enhancing the framed artwork, protecting the artwork, and providing a simple, dependable method to securely display the artworks. Depending on the location of display, the size of the artworks, and the medium in which the artworks is rendered, the relative importance of these three functions may vary.

The first function comprises at least two aspects, the visual artistic impact the frame has on the perception of the artwork and the artistic merit and impact of the frame itself. The protective function became more significant as visual works-of-art moved from restricted, protected locations, from churches and residence of the royal or wealthy to increased private holdings and even more public (museum) displays, where protection from dirt and physical “contact” with the artwork became increasingly important. Protection reached a technical peak with the perfection of “glare-free” glass to protect artworks in essentially all media. The third function, simplicity and security in mounting a artworks, both in the frame and on a wall, or even a ceiling surface is an obvious function of physical structure of the frame and materials from which a frame is fabricated and of the surface to which the frame is to be attached, or mounted.

Framing finds its roots, in part, in vases and tomb paintings dating 3,00 to 4,000 years ago or more and also as carved panels in churches and shrines of antiquity. The art form evolved during the Renaissance with a variety of presently recognized styles from ornate cassettes of varying finishes and shapes in Italy to mannerest forms of England, the Netherlands, and Spain, cabinet maker frames, Baroque and lighter Rocco frames and the still popular neo-classical frames starting in the mid-18th century. The art continues to grow and evolve with float frames of the 20th century, for example, that position the artwork two or more inches below the upper perimeter of the frame, creating a three dimensional frame that imparts a “feeling” of depth in the displayed artworks. Obviously materials (plastics and other synthetic materials), metals and composites now are considered as potential framing materials. Materials to color, tint, and texture the frame as well as protective covering material also continue to evolve.

PRIOR ART

Picture frames and various aspects of framing have been recognized as patentable subject matter by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for over 100 years. An early US Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 131,260 for improvements in picture mounts was issued Sep. 10, 1872 to J. H. Fitzgibbon. A related patent, U.S. Pat. No. 675,558 issued Jun. 4, 1901 Albert Engle claimed mounting strips of molding material to be applied around the perimeter of artwork and produce a consistent, finished frame regardless of the shape of the artwork. U.S. Pat. No. 882,710 issued to G. F. E. Pearsall Mar. 24, 1908 described and claimed an artwork boarder for pictures to compliment and/or contrast with the picture, thereby enhancing it.

More recently, a variety of US patents has addressed various approaches to enhance or to create greater depth of field in a flat, two-dimensional artwork. Such patents are found in USPTO class 40/743 and related subclasses. Such depth enhancing frames commonly depend on multi-layered artwork displays, in which the frame provides the structure to array related images in two or more layers or levels. See fore example U.S. Pat. No. 7,441,361 issued Oct. 28, 2008 to Paul Rowan describing a lattice frame supporting images (pictures) with transparent front and rear faces to enhance the apparent depth of the images. Also see U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,621 issued Oct. 10, 2006 Cherng Chang claiming a three-dimensional frame display in which a background illustration (picture or the like) is mounted in a concavo-curvex pattern and other artwork or information is positioned in front of the background illustration, such that the curvature of the background illustration and positioning of the foreground material generates a significant three-dimension effect.

Box-like structures have been significant aspects of patented, three-dimension enhancing picture frames. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,546 issued to Deng Chi Chang describes and claims a box-like picture frame in which the inner surfaces of the box (frame) sides or walls are painted to enhance the three-dimensional illusion of the art work mounted at the bottom of the box. U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,477 issued Dec. 30, 2003 to Cannaddy describes a box-like picture frame in which depth perception is enhanced by mirrors on the inner surfaces of the box sides or walls. See also Gilbreath, M. M., et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,778 issued Aug. 15, 1995 and describing and claiming a frame structure in which images and portions of images are stacked from the rear to the front to create and enhance a perception of a three-dimensional presentation of the grouped images.

Newton in U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,867 issued Jan. 4, 1996 describes and claims framing of a two-dimensional image so as to create or enhance an illusion of a three-dimensional image. Newton considers a wide variety of types of pictures, all of which are initially rectangular in two-dimension configuration. Examples include: a common rectangular picture frame, a television screen (or the image projected on a television screen), and a page from a book or picture album. In every instance, the image is rectangular, with parallel opposing sides, and the image enhancement is achieved by masking a portion of at least one edge of the image, such that the resulting image is not seen as a rectangle. The masked portion of the image is eliminated from view. The mask segment may be a single, triangular piece positioned along one edge of the rectangular image or rectangular pieces positioned on opposing edges to yield a trapezoidal configuration; or the masking may comprise two triangles positioned or opposing sides of the rectangular image with the base of each masking triangle at the mid-point of the side and each triangle narrowing towards opposite ends of the side. This results in a hexagonal image as a result of the masking. Although the masking may enhance the illusion of three-dimensions, the net effect of the masking is an alteration in the shape of the original picture and the loss from view of the masked portion of the picture.

There remains room in the depth enhancing picture frame art for an alternative artwork display device comprising a two-dimension placard (a three dimension enhancing two dimension mounting base) in which one surface of the two dimension placard comprises an image mounting face and a depth enhancing face, and in which the outer perimeter of the placard in part describes and limits both the mounting face and the depth enhancing face and in which inner perimeter boundary lines in part describe and limit both the mounting face and the depth enhancing face, such that both the mounting face and the depth enhancing face are described by outer perimeter sides and by inner perimeter boundary lines, and finally a placard in which the mounting face and the artwork may assume virtually any two dimensional shape from rectangles and triangles, circles and ovals, and free forms comprised of combinations of straight lines, curves, and segments of circles, and the configuration of the outer perimeter (the placard) is dictated by, but not necessarily the same shape as the image mounting face.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first purpose and goal of the invention is an alternative to picture frames in which the alternative will enhance perception of three-dimensional imagery in the mounted artwork.

A second purpose and goal of the invention is a depth enhancing, two-dimensional mounting base or placard the display face of which is divided into a mounting face and a depth enhancing face.

A third purpose and goal of the invention is a depth enhancing, two dimension placard the outer shape of which is described by its outer perimeter sides and the mounting face and depth enhancing faces are defined in part by the outer perimeter and in part by inner perimeter boundary lines in which at least one outer perimeter side in part limits the mounting face and at least two outer perimeter sides in part define the depth enhancement face, and in which outer perimeter sides and inner perimeter boundary lines fully describe the upper surface of the placard.

a fourth purpose and goal of the invention is a depth enhancing, two-dimensional mounting base in which the mounting face for artworks may assume virtually any shape and in which the depth enhancing face may assume a different shape, and finally in which the shape of the entire placard as described by its outer perimeter is different than either the image mounting face or the depth enhancing face.

A fifth purpose and goal of the invention is a depth enhancing, two dimensional placard the display face of which is divided into a mounting face and a depth enhancing face in which in which outer perimeter sides and inner perimeter boundary lines may be straight, curved, including portions of a circle, and free form (combinations of straight lines and variously curved lines), and in which opposing sides and lines may, but are not required to be parallel or of equal length.

These and other purposes and goals are achieved by a depth enhancing, two dimensional artwork mounting frame comprising a two-dimensional placard with an outer perimeter that describes the shape of the placard and an upper surface (display face) divided into a mounting face and a depth enhancing face wherein at least one inner perimeter boundary line in part separates, distinguishes, and delineates the mounting face and the depth enhancing face and further in which the depth enhancing face may be partitioned into two or more segments to further enhance the perception of depth, and further wherein the color, tone, and/or texture of the segments are coordinated to afford optimum depth enhancement of the artwork positioned on the mounting face; in some configurations all outer perimeter sides and inner perimeter boundary lines are straight lines and opposing sides and boundary lines, or combinations of a side and opposing boundary line may be parallel and of equal length; non-parallel but of equal length, or parallel and of unequal length; in some configurations opposing outer perimeter sides, opposing inner perimeter boundary lines, or an outer perimeter side and inner perimeter boundary line may be a segment of a circle describing an arc of no more than 180 degrees joined by opposing outer perimeter opposing sides; in some configurations opposing outer perimeter sides may be non-identical, free-forms in shape, and the opposing inner perimeter boundary line is identical to or a mimic of the outer perimeter side that constitutes an outer perimeter side of the depth enhancing face, and the inner perimeter free-form boundary line is connected to the outer perimeter free-form side by opposing, transition outer perimeter sides; the mounting face of the placard may assume various shapes appropriate for the shape of the work-of-art to be positioned thereon: (i) rectangles, including squares; (ii) triangles; (iii) circular shapes, including ovals; and free-form shapes comprises of straight lines and various curves; the shape of the placard as defined by the outer perimeter depends on the selected shape of the mounting face: for a rectangular mounting face, the placard shape is a hexagon with parallel opposing sides of equal length, or one pair of opposing sides either non-parallel or of unequal length; an alternative placard form with a rectangular mounting face is a quadrilateral plane in which two straight outer perimeter sides and an inner perimeter straight boundary line share a common connecting point and all three in part delineate the depth enhancing face; a triangular mounting face depends on a pentagonal configuration of the placard, and free-form mounting faces as suggested by the descriptive name depend on various free-form placards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A illustrates the sides of the outer perimeter of a hexagonal placard on which a rectangular mounting face will be formed.

FIG. 1B illustrates the upper surface of the placard of FIG. 1A with inner perimeter boundary lines and outer perimeter sides fully delineating a rectangular mounting face and depth enhancing face divided into two segments.

FIG. 1C illustrates the outer perimeter sides of a hexagonal placard in which the members of one pair of opposing sides are parallel and equal in length and members of the other pairs of opposing sides or opposing sides and inner perimeter boundary lines are parallel and unequal in length.

FIG. 1D illustrates the upper surface of the placard of FIG. 1C with inner perimeter boundary lines completing the delineation of the mounting face and the two segments of the depth enhancing face.

FIG. 2A illustrates the upper surface of a placard described as a quadrilateral plane with non-parallel outer perimeter sides of unequal length.

FIG. 2B illustrates the upper surface of the placard of FIG. 2A showing a rectangular mounting face and two outer perimeter sides and an inner perimeter boundary line all connected at a common point and all delineating in part the depth enhancing face comprising two segments.

FIG. 3A illustrates the perimeter of a pentagon shaped placard.

FIG. 3B illustrates the upper surface of the placard of FIG. 3A showing a triangular mounting face and an undivided depth enhancing face.

FIG. 4A illustrates the outer perimeter of an oval shaped placard in which one pair of opposing sides comprise straight lines and the second pair of opposing sides comprise equal, complimentary arc of 180 degrees or less.

FIG. 4B illustrates the upper surface of the placard of FIG. 4A in which an inner perimeter boundary line comprises a complimentary arc of one of the outer perimeter arc sides to form a circular mounting face.

FIG. 5A illustrates a free-form shaped placard with one pair of opposing outer perimeter sides comprising different free-form shapes connected by parallel outer perimeter straight sides.

FIG. 5B illustrates the upper surface of the placard of FIG. 5A in which a free-form inner perimeter boundary line is identical to the shape, but not necessarily in size (mimics) of one outer perimeter free-form side and is connected to it by a pair of opposing, straight lines, thereby delineating the depth enhancing face, and the other outer perimeter, free-form side is connected to the inner free-form boundary line, thereby delineating the mounting face.

FIG. 6A suggests the depth enhancing effects differences in color, tone, and/or texture of the two segments of the depth enhancing face of a hexagonal placard (a rectangular mounting face).

FIG. 6B suggests the depth enhancing effects differences in color, tone, and/or texture of the depth enhancing face of as placard with a single segment depth enhancing face.

FIG. 7A illustrates a free-standing (unframed/unmounted), rectangular artwork.

FIG. 7B illustrates the depth enhancing effects of positioning the artwork of FIG. 7A on the rectangular mounting face of a hexagonal placard.

INTRODUCTION

The depth enhancing artwork mounting base (herein after “mounting base”) comprises a single, two dimensional placard of varying size and shape. The mounting base is manufactured from a variety of materials, including, but not limited to wood, wood products and composites, metals and metal alloys, fiberglass, plastics, and similar materials. The placard has a width and a height and may be characterized in part by these dimensions, and by the circumference of a circular placard. The thickness of the material from which the placard is manufactured is relevant only regarding mounting or supporting the finished mounting base and is not a dimension critical to the invention.

The placard, defined and limited by an outer perimeter may assume a virtually limitless array of two-dimensional configurations or shapes as illustrated by, but not limited to FIGS. 1A and 1C, FIG. 2A, FIG. 3A, FIG. 4A, and FIG. 5A. All of which shapes may generally be described as shapes with sides based on straight lines, shapes with sides based on straight lines and circle segments, and sides of more complex, free-form shapes, based on straight lines, curves, and circular segments, all of which shapes are anticipated by the invention.

The physical (visually perceived) shape of the placard is described and limited by the connection of specific adjacent outer perimeter sides at specific connection points. As a result, each outer perimeter side is visually identifiable as a unique element of the outer perimeter of the placard. The placard has a front (or upper) surface and a back (or lower), frequently undecorated surface. On the upper surface, the ends of inner perimeter boundary lines are connected to, contact, specific connection points and thereby divide the upper surface into two visually discernable segments: the first, the mounting face and the second, the depth enhancing face. The depth enhancing face may be partitioned into two or more elements by combinations of inner perimeter boundary lines and outer perimeter sides. Connecting ends of adjacent outer perimeter sides by visual contact at a connecting point, or connecting an end of inner perimeter boundary line by contact to the end of a specific outer perimeter side or an adjacent inner perimeter boundary line, or connecting an inner perimeter boundary line to two or more outer perimeter sides or combinations of outer perimeter sides and inner perimeter boundary lines by contact among the ends of outer perimeter sides or inner perimeter boundary lines establishes the visual delineation of the perimeter of the placard and also the visual delineation of the mounting face and the depth enhancing face. The cumulative visual effects derived from defining the placard outer perimeter and delineating the segments of the upper surface represent a visual function, enhancement of depth perception of an artwork positioned on the mounting face. The contact union between ends of outer perimeter sides or between ends of inner perimeter boundary lines and an end of one or more outer perimeter sides at a designated connection point is appropriately defined as the sides or lines being visually and functionally connected.

The shape of the placard is described and limited by the physical, outer perimeter or sides of the placard. The placard has a front (or upper) surface and a back, frequently undecorated surface. The front surface is divided into two segments, the first, mounting face and the second, depth enhancing face. In some configurations, the second, depth enhancing face may be partitioned into two or more elements. The mounting face is defined and limited in part by segments of the outer perimeter identified as specific sides. Similarly, the second, depth enhancement face is defined and limited by in part by segments of the outer perimeter identified as specific sides. The first face and second face are separate and further limited by one or more inner perimeter boundary lines, and in configurations in which the second face is partitioned into two or more elements, the elements are separated by inner perimeter boundary lines.

For shapes with only straight sides, opposing sides may be parallel or non-parallel and opposing sides are not necessarily of equal length, as further disclosed and illustrated by the following examples and figures. For shapes based on circle segments, generally more than one circle is involved, although the full perimeter of the circle may not be visible as part of the outer perimeter of the placard, and the relative distance between the center point of one circle with respect to the second circle significantly affects the shape of the placard. Generally the perimeter of the circles are connected by opposing straight sides. The outer perimeter, sides, of free-form shaped placards are frequently described as having opposite, free form shaped sides in which the sides need not be, and commonly are not, the same shape, and the sides are connected by straight sides that may be, but are not required to be, parallel and of equal length. The mounting face is separated from the depth enhancement face by an inner perimeter boundary line that is parallel to and either the same shape as one free-form side, or, if that side is shorter than the inner perimeter boundary line, the outer perimeter free-form side effectively mimics the longer, inner boundary, free-form line.

The mounting face is that portion of the front surface of the placard on to which one or more works of art are positioned. The artworks can include, but are not limited to drawings, paintings, photographs, and similar creative works, including computer generated artworks and low relief artworks. The artwork may be rendered directly on the mounting face, or the original material on which the work was created or copied may be attached to the mounting face using any method appropriate to the material as is well understood by those skilled in the art. Artworks include unframed and framed creations, such that the invention does not preclude nor does it require a work of art to be framed: a frame is not an integral element of the placard mounting base. The shape and orientation of the depth enhancement face in combination with coloring and/or tonal shading and/or texturing create the illusion of depth of the work of art positioned on the mounting face.

Examples

Examples 1, 2, and 3 consider placards with only straight sides. Example 4 considers a placard with curved or circle segments and straight lines, and Example 5 considers a free-form placard as an example of any free-form placard.

Example 1

In FIG. 1A, the outer perimeter 101A of the placard 101 describes a hexagon. The six, outer sides are designated first outer perimeter side 102. second outer perimeter side 103, third outer perimeter side 104, fourth outer perimeter side 105, fifth outer perimeter side 106, and sixth outer perimeter side 107. Each of the six outer perimeter sides has a corresponding first and second end 102A and 102B, 103A and 103B, 104A and 104B, 105A and 105B, 106A and 106B, and 107 and 107B, respectively for outer perimeter sides 102, 102, 104, 105, 106, and 107. Ends of adjacent outer perimeter sides are visually and functionally connected at one of six contact points 108A, 108B, 108C, 108D, 108E, and 108F, as follows. Starting with first outer perimeter side 102, the second end 102B of the first outer perimeter side 102 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 103A of the second outer perimeter side 103 at the second visual/functional contact point 108B. The second end 103B of the second outer perimeter side 103 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 104A of the third outer perimeter side 104 at the third visual/functional contact point 108C, and the second end 104B of the third outer perimeter side 104 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 105A of the fourth outer perimeter side at the fourth visual/functional contact point 108D. The first end 106A of the fifth outer perimeter side 106 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 105B of the fourth outer perimeter side 105 at the fifth visual/functional contact point 108E, and the second end 106B of the fifth outer perimeter side 106 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 107A of the sixth outer perimeter side 107 at the sixth visual/functional contact point 108F. The second end 107B of the sixth outer perimeter side 107 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 102A of the first outer perimeter side 102 at the first visual/functional contact point 108A, thereby fully describing the outer perimeter of the placard 101.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the upper surface 109 of the placard 101 is divided into a mounting face 110 and a depth enhancing face 111, and the depth enhancing face 111 is divided into a first segment 111A and a second segment 111B.

The mounting face 110 is defined and limited in part by the fifth outer perimeter side 106 and the sixth outer perimeter side 107 and in part by the first inner perimeter boundary line 112 and second inner perimeter boundary line 113. The sixth outer perimeter side 107 is equal in length 115 and parallel to inner perimeter boundary line 112. The fifth outer perimeter side 106 is equal in length 116 and parallel to the second inner perimeter boundary line 113.

The first end 112A of the first inner perimeter boundary line 112 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 113A of the second inner perimeter boundary line 113 and the first end 114A of the third inner perimeter boundary line 114 at the seventh visual/functional contact point 108G. The second end 112B of the first inner perimeter boundary line 112 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 105B of the fourth outer perimeter side 105 and the first end 106A of the fifth outer perimeter side 106 at the fifth visual/functional contact point 108E. The second end 113B of the second inner perimeter boundary line 113 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 107B of the sixth outer perimeter side 107 and the first end 102A of the first outer perimeter side 102 at the first visual/functional contact point 108A.

The third inner perimeter boundary line 114 is equal in length 117 and parallel to the fourth 105 and first 102 outer perimeter lines. The first end 114A of the third inner perimeter boundary line 114 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 112A of the first inner perimeter boundary 112 and the first end 113A of the second inner perimeter boundary line 113 at the seventh visual/functional contact point 108G. The first segment 111A of the depth enhancement face 111 is defined and limited by the third outer perimeter side 104, the fourth outer perimeter side 105 and the first 112 and third 114 inner perimeter boundary lines, and the second segment 111B of the depth enhancing face is defined and limited by the first 102 and second 103 outer perimeter sides and the second 113 and third 114 inner perimeter boundary lines.

The outer perimeter 121A of the placard 121 of FIGS. 1C and 1D describes a hexagon with significant differences from and marked similarities to the placard 101 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. To avoid confusion and facilitate direct comparisons, new index number are assigned to all parts in FIGS. 1C and 1D compared with FIGS. 1A and 1B, even when parts are similar, if not essentially identical.

As in the placard 101 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the placard 121 of FIGS. 1C and 1D has an outer perimeter defined by six sides, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth outer perimeter sides, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, and 127, respectively. Each of the six outer perimeter sides has a corresponding first and second end 122A and B, 123A and B, 124A and B, 125A and B, 126A and B, and 127A and B, respectively, and adjacent ends of outer perimeter sides are visually and functionally connected at one of six visual/functional contact points: first visual/functional contact point 128A, second visual/functional contact point 128B, third visual/functional contact point 128C, fourth visual/functional contact point 128D, fifth visual functional contact point 128E, and sixth visual/functional contact point 128F, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, and comparable to visual/functional contact points 108A-F in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The upper surface 129 of the placard 121 is divided into a mounting face 130 and a depth enhancing face 131. The depth enhancing face is divided into a first segment 131A and a second segment 131B.

The mounting face 130 is defined and limited in part by the adjacent fifth outer perimeter side 126 and sixth outer perimeter side 127. The second end 126B of the fifth outer perimeter side 126 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 127A of the sixth outer perimeter side 127 at the sixth visual/functional contact point 128F. The mounting face is also defined and limited in part by adjacent the first inner perimeter boundary line 132 and the second inner perimeter boundary line 133. The first inner perimeter boundary line 132 is equal in length 135 and parallel to sixth outer perimeter side 127, and the second inner perimeter boundary line 133 is equal in length 136 and parallel to the fifth outer perimeter side 126. The first end 132A of the first inner perimeter boundary line 132 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 133B of the second inner perimeter boundary line 133 and the first end 134A of the third inner perimeter boundary line at the seventh visual/functional contact point 128G. The second end 132B of the first inner perimeter boundary line 132 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 126A of the fifth outer perimeter side 126 and the second end 125B of the fourth outer perimeter side 125 at the fifth visual/functional contact point 128E. The first end 133A of the second inner perimeter boundary line 133 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 122A of the first outer perimeter side 122 and the second end 127B of the sixth outer perimeter side at the first visual/functional contact point 128A.

The first segment 131A of the depth enhancing face 131 is defined and limited in part by adjacent third 124 and fourth 125 outer perimeter sides. The second end 124B of the third outer perimeter side 124 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 125A of the fourth outer perimeter side 125 at the fourth visual/functional contact point 128D. The first segment 131A of the depth enhancing face 131 is also limited and defined in part by adjacent first 132 and third 134 inner perimeter boundary lines. The first end 132A of the first inner perimeter boundary line 132 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 134A of the third inner perimeter boundary line and the second end 133B of the second inner perimeter boundary line 133 at the seventh visual/functional contact point 128G. The second end 134B of the third inner perimeter boundary line 134 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 124A of the third outer perimeter side and the second end 123B of the second outer perimeter side at visual/functional contact point 128C.

The second segment 131B of the depth enhancement face 131 is described and limited in part by adjacent first 122 and second 123 outer perimeter sides. The second end 122B of the first outer perimeter side 122 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 123A of the second outer perimeter side 123 at the second visual/functional contact point 128B. The second segment 131B of the depth enhancement face 131 is also described and limited in part by the second 133 and third 134 inner perimeter boundary lines. The first end 133A of the second inner perimeter boundary line 133 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 122A of the first outer perimeter side 122 and the second end 127B of the sixth outer perimeter side 127 at the first visual/functional contact point 128A. The second end 133B of the second inner perimeter boundary line 133 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 132A of the first inner perimeter boundary line 132 and the first end 134A of the third inner perimeter boundary line 134 at the seventh visual/functional contact point 128G. The second end 134B of the third inner perimeter boundary line 134 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 123B of the second outer perimeter side 123 and the first end 124A of the third outer perimeter side 124A at the third visual/functional contact point 128C.

The third 124 and sixth 127 outer perimeter sides are parallel but not of equal length (length 138 compared with length 135). The first 122 and fourth 125 outer perimeter sides are of equal length 137, but not parallel, and the second 123 and fifth 126 outer perimeter sides are parallel and unequal in length 138 and length 136, respectively.

Differences between the placard 101 of FIGS. 1A and 1B compared with the placard 121 of FIGS. 1C and 1D include the facts that the first 102 and fourth 105 outer perimeter sides of placard 101 are parallel; whereas, the comparable outer perimeter sides 122 and 125 of placard 121 are not parallel and differ in length 136: the differences between the fifth outer perimeter side 126 compared with length 138 of the second outer perimeter side 123 of placard 121 compared with the uniform length of the corresponding outer perimeter sides 106 and 103 of placard 101.

Example 2

The outer perimeter 201A of the placard 201 of FIGS. 2A and 2B defines and describes an irregular quadrilateral plane having four, unequal sides: first outer perimeter side 202, second outer perimeter side 203, third outer perimeter side 204, and fourth outer perimeter side 205. The first outer perimeter side 202 has a first end 202A and a second end 202B; the second outer perimeter side has a first end 203A and a second end 203B; the third outer perimeter side has a first end 204A and a second end 204B, and the fourth outer perimeter side 205 has a first end 205A and a second end 205B. The second end 202B of the first outer perimeter side 202 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 203A of the second outer perimeter side 203 at the second visual/functional connects point 207B. The second end 203B of the second outer perimeter side 203 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 204A of the third outer perimeter side 204 at the third visual/functional point 207C. The second end 204B of the third outer perimeter side 204 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 205A of the fourth outer perimeter side 205 at the fourth visual/functional contact point 207D. The second end 205B of the fourth outer perimeter side 205 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 202A of the first outer perimeter side 202 at the first visual/functional contact point 207A.

The upper surface 208 of the placard 201 is divided into a mounting face 209 and a depth enhancing face 210. The depth enhancing face 210 is divided into a first segment 210A and a second segment 210B.

The mounting face 209 is defined and limited in part by the third outer perimeter side 204 and the fourth outer perimeter side 205 and in part by the first inner perimeter boundary line 211 and second inner perimeter boundary line 212. The second end 204B of the third outer perimeter side 204 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 205A of the fourth outer perimeter side 205 at the fourth visual/functional contact point 207D. The first end 211A of the first inner perimeter boundary line 211 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 212B of the second inner perimeter boundary line 212 and the first end 213A of the third inner perimeter boundary line 213 at the fifth visual/functional contact point 207E. The second end 211B of the first inner perimeter boundary line 211 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 203B of the second outer perimeter side and the first end 204A of the third outer perimeter side 204 at the third visual/functional contact point 207C. The first end 212A of the second inner perimeter boundary line 212 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 205B of the fourth outer perimeter side 205 and the first end 202A of the first outer perimeter side 202 at the first visual/functional contact point 207A.

The first segment 210A of the depth enhancing face 210 is defined and limited in part by the second outer perimeter side 203 and in part by the first inner perimeter boundary line 211 and the third inner perimeter boundary line 213. The second end 211B of the first inner perimeter boundary line 211 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 204A of the third outer perimeter side 204 and the second end 203B of the second 203 outer perimeter side 203 at the third visual/functional contact point 207C. The second end 213B of the third inner perimeter boundary line 213 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 203A of the second outer perimeter side 203 and the and the second end 202B of the first outer perimeter side 202 at the second visual/functional contact point 207B.

The second segment 210B of the depth enhancing face 210 is defined and limited by the first outer perimeter side 202 and the second inner perimeter boundary line 212 and the third inner perimeter boundary line 213. The first end 213A of the third inner perimeter boundary line 213 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 211A of the first inner perimeter boundary line 211 and the second end 212B of the second inner perimeter boundary line 212 at the fifth visual/functional contact point 207E, and the second end 213B of the third inner perimeter boundary line 213 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 203A of the second outer perimeter side 203 and the second end 202B of the first outer perimeter side at the second visual/functional contact point 207B.

Example 3

The outer perimeter 301A of the placard 301 of FIGS. 3A and 3B describes and defines a pentagon with a first outer perimeter side 302, a second outer perimeter side 303, a third outer side 304, a fourth outer perimeter side 305, and a fifth outer perimeter side 306. The first outer side 302 has a first end 302A and a second end 302B; the second outer perimeter side 303 has a first end 303A and a second end 303B. The third outer perimeter side has a first end 304A and a second end 304B. The fourth outer perimeter side has a first end 305A and a second end 305B, and the fifth outer perimeter side 306 has a first end 306A and a second end 306B.

The second end 302B of the first outer perimeter side 302 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 303A of the second outer perimeter side 303 at the second visual/functional contact point 307B. The second end 303B of the second outer perimeter side 303 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 304A of the third outer perimeter side 304 at the third visual/functional point 307C. The second end 304B of the third outer perimeter side 304 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 305A of the fourth outer perimeter side 305 at the fourth visual/functional contact point 307D. The second end 305B of the fourth outer perimeter side 305 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 306A of the fifth outer perimeter side 306 at the fifth visual/functional contact point 307E, and the second end 306B of the fifth outer side 306 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 302A of the first outer perimeter side 302 at the first visual/functional contact point 307A.

The upper surface 308 of placard 301 is divided into a mounting face 313 and a depth enhancing face 314. The mounting face 313 is defined and limited in part by the fourth outer perimeter side 305 and the fifth outer perimeter side 306, and in part by inner perimeter boundary line 311. The second end 311B of the inner perimeter boundary line 311 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 304B of the third outer perimeter side 304 and the first end 305A of the fourth outer perimeter side 305 at the fourth visual/functional contact point 307D. The first end 311A of the inner perimeter boundary line 311 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 306B of the fifth outer perimeter side 306 and the first end 302A of the first outer perimeter side at the first visual/functional contact point 307A.

Example 4

The outer perimeter 401A of the placard 401 of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B describes an oval with a first outer perimeter side 402, a curved, second outer perimeter side 403, a third outer perimeter side 404, and a fourth, curved outer perimeter side 405. The first outer perimeter side 402 has a first end 402A and a second end 402B, the second, curved outer perimeter side 403 has a first end 403A and a second end 403B, and the third outer perimeter side 404 has a first end 404A and a second end 404B, and the curved, fourth outer perimeter side 405 has a first end 405A and a second 405B.

The second end 402B of the first outer perimeter side 402 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 403A of the second, curved outer perimeter side 403 at the second visual/functional contact point 409B. The second end 403B of the second curved outer perimeter side 403 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 404A of the third outer perimeter side 404 at the third visual/functional contact point 409C, and the second end 404B of the third outer perimeter side 404 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 405A the fourth, curved, outer perimeter side 405 at the fourth visual/functional point 409D. The second end 405B of the fourth curved outer perimeter side 405 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 402A of the first outer perimeter side 402 at the first visual/functional contact point 409A.

The upper surface 412 of placard 401 is divided into a mounting face 413 and a depth enhancing face 414. The first end 410A of the inner perimeter boundary line 410 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 402A of the first outer perimeter side 402 and the second end 405B of the fourth, curved outer perimeter side 405 at the first visual/functional contact point 409A. The second end 410B of the inner perimeter boundary line 410 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 404B of the third outer perimeter side 404 and the first end 405A of the fourth, curved outer perimeter side 405 at the fourth visual/functional contact point 405D. The mounting face is defined and limited by the fourth curved outer perimeter side 405 and the inner perimeter boundary line 411. The depth enhancing face is defined and limited by the first outer perimeter side 402, the second, curved outer perimeter side 403, the third outer perimeter side 404, and the inner perimeter boundary line 410.

The inner perimeter boundary line 410 separates the mounting face 413 from the depth enhancement face 414.

The fourth curved outer perimeter side 405 has a center point 407A and a radius 407B. The curve of the inner perimeter boundary line 410 shares the center point 407A and a radius 407B. The curve of the second, curved outer perimeter side has a center point 408A and a radius 408B.

Example 5

FIG. 5A illustrates a free-form placard 501 wherein the free-form placard comprises an upper surface 506, and further comprises an outer perimeter 501A, wherein the outer perimeter 501A comprises a first, free-form outer perimeter side 502 comprising a first end 502A and a second end 502B, a second free-form outer perimeter side 503 opposing the first free-form outer perimeter side 502 and comprising a first end 503A and a second end 503B. The outer perimeter 501A further comprises a first transition outer perimeter side 504 wherein the first transition outer perimeter side comprises a first end 504A and a second end 504B, and the perimeter 501A further comprises a second transition outer perimeter side 505 wherein the second transition outer perimeter 505 side comprises a first end 505A and a second end 505B.

The second end 502B of the first free-form outer perimeter side 502 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 504A of the first transition outer perimeter side 504 at the first visual/function contact point 511A. The second end 504B of the first transition outer side 504 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 503A of the second free-form outer perimeter side 503 at the second visual/functional contact point 511B. The second end 503B of the second free-form outer perimeter side 503 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 505A of the second, transition outer perimeter side 505 at the third visual/functional contact point 511C, and the second end 505B of the second, transition outer perimeter side 505 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 502A of the first, free-form outer perimeter side 502 at the fourth visual/functional contact point 511D. The second end 502B of the first free-form outer perimeter side 502 is visually and functionally connected to the first end 504A of the first transition outer perimeter side at the first visual/functional contact point 511A.

One skilled in the art recognizes that the first 504 and second 505 transition outer perimeter sides are oppose to (are opposite to) and not necessarily parallel one to the other. Also, the first 504 and the second 505 transition outer perimeter sides are not required to be the same shape and configuration; shape and configuration include straight lines and curves in addition to more complex free-forms, all of which shapes and configurations are anticipated by and part of the invention and are herein incorporated.

FIG. 5B illustrates the upper surface 506 of the free-form placard 501 of FIG. 5A. The upper surface 506 is divided into two segments: a mounting face 507 and a depth enhancing face 508. The mounting face 507 is defined and limited in part by the first free-form outer perimeter side 502 and defined and limited in part by inner perimeter free-form boundary line 509. The first end 509A of the inner perimeter free-form boundary line 509 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 505B of the second, transitional outer perimeter side 505 and the first end 502A of the first, free-form outer perimeter side 502 at the fourth visual/functional contact point 511D. The second end 509B of the inner perimeter free-form boundary line 509 is visually and functionally connected to the second end 502B of the first, free-form outer perimeter side 502 and the first end 504A of the first, transitional outer perimeter side 504 at the first visual/functional contact point 511A. Thus the mounting face is fully described and limited by said first free-form outer perimeter side 502 and said inner perimeter free-form boundary line 509.

The first free-form outer perimeter side 502 is independent from the second free-form outer perimeter side 503 in size and shape or configuration and is similarly independent from the inner perimeter free-form boundary line 509. The inner perimeter free-form boundary line 509 and the second free-form outer perimeter side 503 are interdependent as follows. When the first 504 and the second 505 transition outer perimeter sides are parallel and equal in length, the second free-form outer perimeter side 503 and the inner perimeter free-form boundary line 509 are identical in size, shape, and configuration. In examples in which the first 504 and the second transition outer perimeter sides are not parallel, the inner perimeter free-form boundary line 509 and the second free-form outer perimeter side 503 may differ in length 515A and 515B respectively; however, in such examples, the inner perimeter free-form boundary line 509 and outer perimeter free form side 503 are mimics in shape and configuration.

Example 6

The three dimensional, optical illusion of mounting base may be enhanced by coloring or texturizing the depth illusion face. If the depth illusion face comprises two (or more) segments, the individual segments may be differentially colored or textured; with a single segment the effects of coloring or texturing may be enhanced by shading or graded texturing of the single segment.

FIG. 6A illustrates the placard 121 of FIG. 1D completed and suitable for a work of art to be positioned on the mounting face 127. The depth illusion face 131 comprises a first segment 131A and a second segment 131B. Both segments 131A and 131B are colored or texturized, as indicated by stippling. Differences in coloring or texture are suggested by differences in stippling between the first segment 131A with relatively light stippling and the second segment with relatively heavier stippling. The density (or color or texture) it represents could be reversed without altering the effect and such reversals are anticipated by the invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates the placard of FIG. 4B completed and suitable for a work of art to be positioned on the circular mounting face 406A. The depth illusion face 406B comprises a single segment. As illustrated, the shading increases from the second outer perimeter side 403B to the first perimeter side 403A.

Example 7

FIG. 7A illustrates a simple landscape drawing 701 as an artwork appropriate to be positioned on the mounting face of a completed mounting base. The artwork has a height dimension 702 and a width dimension 703. FIG. 7B shows the artwork 701 of FIG. 7A positioned on the rectangular mounting face of a mounting base 704 manufactured from a hexagonal placard as suggested by FIG. 1C. The first 705 and second 706 segments of the depth illusion face are stippled suggesting differential coloring of texturizing of the two segments 705 and 706.

The artwork 701 of FIG. 7A has a height dimension 707 and a width dimension 708. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the height dimension 707 and width dimension 708 of the artwork are the same as the corresponding dimensions of the mounting face. See FIG. 1D with height dimension 136 and width dimension 137 of the mounting face 130. One skilled in the art recognizes that the invention does not require the dimensions of an artwork to equal the dimensions of the mounting face.

The depth enhancing mounting frame assumes variations of the preceding specific example described above including rotating the placards from the orientation of any example and combining examples. All such combinations and variations are assumed by the inventionn; thus, the broadest possible interpretation should be accorded the appended claims in view of virtually endless array of shapes and configurations of the outer perimeter of a placard, of the mounting face, or of the depth enhancing all of which are anticipated by the disclosure. 

1. A depth enhancing artwork mounting base comprising a placard, wherein said placard comprises an outer perimeter, where in said outer perimeter describes the shape of said placard and further wherein said placard comprises an upper surface wherein said upper surface is divided into a mounting face and a depth enhancing face, at least one inner perimeter boundary line in part describes and limits said mounting face and separates said mounting face from said depth enhancing face, and further, wherein, said depth enhancing face comprises at least one segment wherein said at least one segment is treated with an optical differentiation means to enhance the visual perception of depth.
 2. The depth enhancing artwork mounting base of claim 1 wherein the outer perimeter comprises only straight sides, and further wherein the inner perimeter comprises only straight boundary lines.
 3. The depth enhancing artwork mounting base of claim 2 wherein said depth enhancing face comprises more than one segment.
 4. The depth enhancing artwork mounting base of claim 3 wherein opposing, outer perimeter sides are parallel and of equal length.
 5. The depth enhancing artwork mounting base of claim 3 wherein members of at least one pair of opposing, outer perimeter sides are not of equal length and members of a second pair of opposing, outer perimeter sides are not parallel.
 6. The depth enhancing artwork mounting base of claim 3 wherein two outer perimeter sides that in part limit and define the depth enhancing face are not of equal length and are not parallel one to the other, and further wherein the inner perimeter boundary line separating the first and second segments of said depth enhancing face is not parallel to either of said two outer perimeter sides, and finally, wherein both of said outer perimeter sides and a first end of said inner perimeter boundary line share a common node.
 7. The depth enhancing artwork mounting base of claim 2 wherein the depth enhancing face comprises only a single segment and further wherein the outer perimeter of the placard describes a pentagon.
 8. The depth enhancing artwork mounting base wherein the outer perimeter of the placard comprises a first pair of opposing sides wherein each member of said first pair of opposing sides comprises and is described by an arc of 180 degrees, and wherein the members of the first pair of opposing sides are connected by opposing outer straight sides; and further wherein the depth enhancing face comprises a single segment, and wherein the mounting face describes a full circle wherein one-half of said full circle comprises first member of said first pair of sides that describes an arc of 180 degrees, and the other half of said full circle is an inner perimeter boundary line that comprises a boundary arc of 180 degrees and further wherein the diameter of said boundary arc equals the diameter of arc of the first member of said first pair of sides.
 9. A depth enhancing artwork mounting base wherein said depth enhancing mounting base comprises a placard, wherein said placard comprises a first free-form outer perimeter side and a second free-form outer perimeter side and a first transition outer perimeter side and a second transition outer perimeter side and said placard further comprises an upper surface; and further wherein the second end of said first free-form outer perimeter side is visually and functionally connected to the first end of said first transition outer perimeter side at the first visual/functional contact point, and the second end of said first transition outer perimeter side is visually and functionally connected to the first end of said second free-form outer perimeter side second visual/functional contact point, and the second end of said second free-form outer perimeter side is visually and functionally connected to the first end of said second transition outer perimeter side at the third visual/functional contact point, and the second end of said second transition outer perimeter side is visually and functionally connected to the first end of said first free-form outer perimeter side at the fourth visual/functional contact point; and further wherein said upper surface of said placard comprises a mounting face and a depth enhancing face, wherein said mounting face is defined and limited by said first free-form outer perimeter face and by inner perimeter free-form boundary line, wherein the first end of said inner perimeter free-form boundary line is visually and functionally connected to said first end of said first free-form outer perimeter side at the fourth visual/functional contact point, and the second end of said inner perimeter free-form boundary line is visually and functionally connected to said second end of said first free-form outer perimeter boundary line at the first visual/functional contact point; and further wherein said depth enhancing face is defined and limited by said first transition outer side, said second free-form outer perimeter side, and said second transition outer perimeter side and by inner perimeter free-form boundary line, wherein the shape, and configuration of said inner perimeter free-form boundary line and the shape and configuration of said second free-form outer perimeter side are inter-dependent; and further wherein said second end of said first transition outer perimeter side is visually and functionally connected to said first end of said second free-form outer side at the second visual/functional contact point, and said second end of said second free-form outer perimeter side is visually and functionally connected to said first end of said second transition outer perimeter side at the third visual/functional contact point, and said second end of said second transition outer perimeter side (505) is visually and functionally connected to said first end (509A) of said inner perimeter free-form boundary line at the fourth visual/functional contact point, wherein said fourth visual/functional contact point is a common point including the visual and functional connection of said second end of said second transition outer perimeter side and said first end of said first free-form outer perimeter side; said second end of said inner perimeter free-form boundary line is visually and functionally connected to said first end of said first transition outer perimeter side at said first visual/functional contact point wherein said first connecting point is a common point including the visual and functional connection of said second end of said first free-form outer perimeter side to said first end of first transition outer perimeter side.
 10. The depth enhancing artwork mounting base of claim 9 wherein said first outer perimeter straight side is not parallel to said second outer perimeter straight side and wherein said first outer perimeter free-form side mimics and assumes the same configuration and shape as but is smaller than the inner perimeter free-form boundary line. 